BRAND NEW UNPLAYED VINYL LP

LTD EDITION 180 GRAM

CAT NUMBER: KSLP039

Niney the Observer is well known for his great productions, collaborations, with the likes of Dennis Brown and for some of the best rhythms to come out of Jamaica. Maybe less known is that he began in the music business as a singer. Here for the first time is a collection of songs culled from his career that feature the outstanding voice of the Observer himself.
Niney gained his name after losing a thumb in a workshop accident and adopted ‘The Observer’ name after being inspired by Lee Perry’s use of his nickname ‘Upsetter’, and like Perry on leaving Joe Gibbs used his moniker also as his label name for his future releases and so the ‘Observer’ imprint was born. Around this time Niney moved into accommodation with fellow singer Max Romeo in the Washington Gardens area of Kingston town, where the plan to go it alone and release his music on his own Observer label was hatched. Christmas Eve 1970 saw the release of the now seminal Niney track ‘Blood and Fire’ recorded at Randy’s Studio 17. The tune featured what was to be Niney's signiture heavy / sparse sound.
‘Blood and Fire’ was originally a 200 copy release on his Destroyer label, but switched to his Observer label, where it would go on to sell over 30,000 copies in Jamaica and be named song of the year in 1971. Alongside this classic and our opening track on this compilation, are other killer cuts by the Observer. ‘Message To The Ungodly’ cut at Randy’s Studio 17 in 1972 featured not only Lloyd Charmers and Dobby Dobson on harmonies but the great Ken Boothe. ‘Bring The Couchie Come’ had Mr Dennis Brown on backing vocals. The classic ‘Keep On Pushing’ features the Heptones on harmonies and ‘Mix Up’ the Morwells and the great Bingy Bunny on guitar. ’Jah Fire’ although having the rhythm cut as Randy’s Studio 17, the harmony parts by the Heptones were to be put down at Dynamic Studios, ‘Ital Correction’ had Mr ET Thompson working the feedback and the next two cuts ‘Rasta No Pick Pocket’ and ‘Aily And Ailaloo’ were cut at Dynamic and Aily features Lloyd Chambers and Max Romeo on backing vocals. ‘Hail I’, ‘Everybody Say I’m A Rasta’ and ‘Beg In The Gutter’ all carry trademark timeless rhythms and ‘Observing The Avenue’ reworks a similar theme to Sly Stone’s ‘Everyday People’with the added Niney magic. ‘Hiding By The Riverside’ takes a gospel / biblical route to convey its message. 
If Niney The Observer's work as a singer was ever in doubt or over shadowed by his many other talents, then we hope that this album will put that to rest. Niney behind the microphone as compared to a mixing desk is a great, great, thing. 
TRACK LISTING

1. Blood And Fire 2. Message To The Ungodly 3. Bring The Couchie Come 4. Keep On Pushing 5. Mix Up 6. Jah Fire 7. Ital Correction 8. Rasta No Pick Pocket 9. Aily And Ailaloo 10. Hail I 11. Everyone Is A Rasta 12. Beg In The Gutter 13. Observing The Observer 14. Hiding By The Riverside

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